new world....
Local Actor Greg Labenz, shares his
journey as a film actor following the
pursuit of his dream to be in the
movies. Greg has acted in over 12
films since 2004
click Here
(The Richmond Buzz)
How Did you become interested in acting?
(Greg)
Long story short, since birth. Ever since I remember watching TV, I've always wanted to be
on the TV or in the movies. I was kind of at a dead end position working as a private
investigator and one day my friend Bobby was like "Dude, I'm in a movie called 'The New
World', with Collin Ferrel". I was very familiar with Collin's body of work and was jealous
over the next couple of weeks, because I would hear his adventures when he would come
back from training and working with swords and one day Bobby suggested that I come to
the set and try to get on staff as a paramedic, because I was a former paramedic. I was
really excited, and as it turned out wasn't there wasn't any openings to work on set as a
medic. I approached Rudy A. Persico the assistant director, and asked him if he had any
parts open as a colonist. Rudy asked if I could shoot a musket, I replied Which kind? I
proved myself that day, and thats how I officially got involved with film, since then I've been
on fire.
(the Richmond Buzz)
So you were a P.I. for a while, how did you like that line of work?
(Greg)
It was kind of difficult, because most P.I. work deals with domestic relations and I was going
through a divorce at the time. Its a dangerous business. I had Eight years in special forces
and it was easy for me, I was getting the shots and solving the cases that no one else could.
But it was very stressful, long hours, my boss was hard on me if i didn't get what he wanted
and he would come down on me, but it was cool job, paid well.
(the Richmond Buzz)
Wow, what an interesting background, P.I. and a medic for the armed forces.
(Greg)
Yes, I was a hospital corpsman in the Navy for eight years and got out as a paramedic
working in emergency rooms as a trauma paramedic, then I got into personal training at the
gym. Now I'm like the person the my friends call when their sick and need help.
(the Richmond Buzz)
What has been your favorite film or project you have worked on so far?
(Greg)
Definitely The New World. The irony of it is still shocking, not only is the title of the film
called The New World, but it was a whole new world for myself and the other people I run
around with. Its a new world in our lives, in our minds, it actually changed all of our worlds.
(the Richmond Buzz)
Whats the best advice you have been given in your pursuit to get work as an actor?
(Greg)
I asked the advice of Trish Hofmann, the executive producer for New World, what is the
best way to get into movies and make a career of it. Her response was to do shorts, do
movies for free, go to acting school or some kind training if you can if you have the money.I
have been trying to perfect my craft and keep making movie after movie.
(the Richmond Buzz)
You have done some work in commercials, how did you get involved with that?
(Greg)
It was through a friend of a friend, who was friends with the director Matthew Lockhart
Having a good network of people and being at the right place at the right time, and being
available when needed has really helped.
(the Richmond Buzz)
What is it like to pursue acting in Virginia, is it difficult?
(Greg)
Pursuing an acting career in Virginia is very difficult, it is a right to work state. Being new to
it, I kinda find out the hard way, hit the dead ends and know not to go down that alley. There
are a few casting directors in Virginia, it doesn't seem like anyone has firm representation,
when there is a casting call, everyone comes in like a bunch vultures trying to get a the same
little piece of meat. Being at the right place and right time is definitely part of it. I know a lot
of actors who do not live in New York or L.A. and have been successful living in Virginia and
having a good film career. Joe Inscoe and Mark Joy are great examples of actors who have
found major success in films and TV not living in Hollywood. I would like to stay in Virginia to
be there for my son Jacob.
(the Richmond Buzz)
What is it like being an extra on a film?
(Greg)
I love being an extra on a film, of course I would rather have a principal role, but whether
your an extra or have a principal role, it really comes down to the fact that I'm helping to
make a movie and being part of that particular production. It's like when I was in the military
doing military operations, you got your optics, engineering dept, explosives technicians, and
everyone comes together, and with films its on that grand scale level, where you have your
camera, lighting, and sound crews, lead and supporting actors, all the way down to being an
extra, it all goes into the production and one cant work with the other. Allot of my
opportunities have come from being an extra and creating those right place and right time
moments. This one opportunity that came my way
when I was an extra on the film "The Sentinel", I was upgraded to be a stand-in with Michale
Douglas.
(the Richmond Buzz)
What exactly is a stand in?
(Greg)
The job of a stand in person, is literally standing in the place where an actual actor will be
standing, to help set the frame for the camera, so that by the time the director yells action
the actors can take their places and the shot will be set up. While I was doing stand in work
with Michael Douglas, I was approached by a casting director with my head shot in hand,
and was asked to be a double stand in for Matthew McConaughey in the film "Failure to
Launch". I basically was dressed up in the same clothes as Matthew and would play his
character when he was in the background without any dialogue.
(the Richmond Buzz)
What was it like to see Terrance Mallick in action on set of the New World?
(Greg)
Terrance was great. He runs a tight ship and is very thorough doing multiple takes of the
same scene, to be sure he has the shot. I was wearing heavy armor and it was hard for
some the actors to have the endurance on long days to wear the costumes, there were
some challenging days on set. We would be on set from about 5:30am until about 7:30 at
night. Terrance Macllick is an amazing artist with an incredible eye for composing shots, it
seemed like if Terry wanted the clouds to part, they would part. If he wanted it to rain, it
would rain. Some days it seemed like he had a button and was in tune with nature. My
whole journey so far, has been amazing!
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